2017 Fall Highlights of Hope

NO BARRIERS TO PURPLE POWER
Diane Colvin finds it hard to hold
back the tears during the days that lead
up to Purple Power—a series of events
that benefit cancer research at
Van Andel Institute. Colvin helps organize
the series of student-focused sport events
with the West Ottawa, Michigan, school
district, where she has been a special
education teacher for more than 18 years.
Purple Power is a significant undertaking
for everyone in the school district, and for
Colvin, her participation is personal.
“When my mom had cancer, I knew I
couldn’t do much about it, and I felt
powerless because I couldn’t take it away
from her,” Colvin said. “But I knew two
things I could do—pray and raise money to
support cancer research.”
Colvin’s desire to support cancer research
is shared by everyone on the Purple Power
committee, and for more than five years
they have hosted events that connect the
enthusiasm for student sports to powerful
community action. Purple Power continues
to gain momentum with each passing year,
and last year alone the event raised more
than $30,000 to support cancer research.
“I wish cancer didn’t touch so many people,
but it’s really great to see all the support we
have to make these events happen,” Colvin
said. “Everyone on the committee works
full time, and we are busy people, but this
is something that we are all consumed by,
and we know it’s worth it.”
An open, inclusive community
Colvin has heard many cancer stories while
organizing Purple Power, and with each
story comes the understanding that cancer
touches everyone.
LEEANNE ARCHER AND A
WEST OTTAWA ATHLETE.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor,
young or old, cancer can come into your
life,” Colvin said. “This past year I wore a
jersey with the number 12 on it, because
12 people in my family have been affected
by cancer.”
Purple Power began with basketball games
and has since grown to include hockey,
soccer, swim and dive, wrestling and
cheerleading. Students and families who
attend the events wear purple clothing
and custom jerseys in support of people
who have been affected by cancer, and the
events foster a feeling of shared support
that reaches far outside the confines of
West Michigan.
“Cancer isn’t just focused on one
community, so for our events there are
no barriers,” Colvin said. ”Purple Power
is an open, inclusive way for people who
have been affected by cancer to take
action, support cancer research and
make a difference.”
(STARTING IN THE BACK, LEFT TO RIGHT) MARY RINGQUIST AND LEEANNE ARCHER; SANDI BROWN,
DIANE COLVIN AND SCOTT WOLTERINK. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAURA VELDHOF.
Thank you to Diane Colvin and the Purple
Power Committee, LeeAnne Archer,
Sandi Brown, Mary Ringquist and
Scott Wolterink for your generosity
and hard work.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 7